A more original motto for a women's event perhaps has never been invented. After last year's "Borrowed Ladle and Heels", the ladies of the Women's Ministries decided to stir up the participants in the event this year with the sequel "LADLE AND HIGH HEELS in Action". If you pay attention to the program, you will see that action, work and service were the main themes of the Women's Forum this year.
The friendly and sunny town of Velingrad (spa-capital of Bulgaria) hosted guests from all corners of the country. There was no shortage of ladies from the "Other Bulgaria" – Bulgarians living in Austria, England, Germany. Located in the center of the town, “Zdravets" spa hotel was our home for the weekend we spent together. Comfortable, clean and with helpful staff, the hotel was a perfect venue for such a gathering.
The program began on Friday night with the introduction of the guest speaker from Pennsylvania, Tamyra Horst. "It's a complete miracle, true madness, to come all the way from the USA to you," shared Tamyra. In her sixties, she displayed a vitality and energy that we could only admire. The entire team of Bilyana Valchinova, head of the Women's Ministries, was harnessed in the organization so that there was no slipping in the programme and everything went smoothly. The team of Hope Channel Bulgaria traditionally made sure that the precious message was recorded for those who were not there. The presence of "New Life" Publishing House with a small book stand contributed to better communication between the participants and the opportunity to have conversations about books. Three books by Tamyra Horst were published especially for the forum: "Enough", "Pray like crazy for your children" and "Pray like crazy for your husband". According to Bilyana, having the three books printed and Tamyra on site for the event was a real feast! A kind of spiritual "dessert" on Friday evening was the concert of the "REFUGE" music group.
The festive Sabbath began with a prayer fellowship and praise, after which the organizers turned our eyes again to mission with an explanation of the main topic "LADLE AND HIGH HEELS in Action", as well as with the participation of Michael Garkov entitled "What is this in your hand?" At the time of the sermon, the pulpit was again entrusted to our guest Tamyra, who presented a new reading of the conflict between Martha and Mary. She touched on the subject of "enoughness" in women's ministry. We, women, often feel inadequate or on the contrary – too much in our ministry - we are not good enough, educated, brave... or we are too much talking, doing, even loving! If we find it difficult to achieve the measure, how can we manage? As women dedicated to Christ, we can always lean on Him who is unfailingly enough in every respect: strong enough, loving enough, able enough! If this was the only thing we remember from the whole event, it would really be enough.
Ladies were provided with the opportunity to participate in the intriguing workshops with topics such as: "Bathe seven times", "Conflict(less)", "The cool princess and the prince in-love", "Walk to the bedroom", "Am I enough?" and "On the hot line". It was not easy to choose where to go!
When I was looking at the Sabbath program something interesting caught my attention - the evening program was called "Timeless Woman". I promised myself that I would be there without suspecting that I would be present (and even participating) in the funniest part of the forum.
Sunday brought us sunshine outside and a slight sadness of the impending parting. Even the best events come to an end. And each forum has its own outlook and spirit. We asked some of the participants "What will you remember this forum with?” Here’s what was shared with us:
Violeta Karakoleva from Sofia: "Pleasant and cordial atmosphere, motivating and inspiring messages from Tamyra Horst, interesting and practical workshops! Meeting women excited about the same issues was amazing!”
Snezhka Ilieva from England: "This was the first women's forum I attended. I had no expectations and the first thing that grabbed me was the extremely good organization. I saw old acquaintances, made new friendships. I can say about Tamyra that she is a model for a dedicated mother and servant of God. I am currently reading her books and reliving her inspiring faith. I left the forum inspired!”
The important thing is to take with us the friendly spirit, the emotions, the messages and the desire to meet again next time. Let us appreciate the Women's Ministries Department for the perfect organization through which God was glorified and let us wish them in order to gather us again next year!
